Plantation roadwork? It’s bike lanes on Peters

County project: Bike lanes on Peters

Signs along Pine Island Road and University Drive have been warning us: Construction is coming.

The date spelled out is April 22, this Monday, and if you’re like many of the people who have contacted me in recent days, you’ve muttering swear words.

But if you stick to just University and/or Pine Island the news may not be so bad.

The construction is for bike lanes along Peters Road. It’s a Florida Department of Transportation project approved by Broward County. (Note, that’s not the city.) Officials also note that there’ll be some work on University and Pine Island, as workers connect the bike lanes with those roads.

I did not see the feasibility study, but am hoping someone has data that shows people might be considering cycling, instead of driving, on short trips after they move into Midtown. But I am not optimistic. And as I’ve said before, I like to see bike lanes when they’re viable for reducing car traffic. At best, the jury’s out on this one.

I also want to note here that the city is well aware of traffic challenges. I often tell people that improving traffic is one of Mayor Lynn Stoner’s biggest priorities, and she can talk at length about possible traffic solutions. She is calling any and every agency that can help us.

Census preparation

I was among the representatives from 22 municipalities who attended a workshop on how to make sure we have everyone in our city counted in the 2020 census. Experts say that each uncounted person costs a city $2,000 per year in federal funding. So 50 uncounted people times the 10 years the census figures are used equals $1 million. We can’t afford to leave federal money like that lying on the table.

But persuading those most likely to ignore the census is not easy. Top reasons for not completing a census are: Fear of private data being made public, fear of repercussions to answers, distrust of government and a feeling that “one person doesn’t matter.”

You’ll be hearing more from me in the coming months before the April 2020 count date. Meanwhile, if you want a job, go to 2020Census.gov/jobs. You can work part-time helping collect the data.

Coming up

The Plantation City Council meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall. View the agenda via Plantation.org.

Target, 8201 SW Third St, Plantation, is hosting a car seat trade-in through May 4. Target will accept and recycle all types of car seats and those who donate items receive a coupon for 20 percent off of child-related gear.

The Plantation Junior Woman’s Club is selling raffle tickets to benefit Make-a-Wish South Florida from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 25. The event is at Footprints Boutique, 240 S. University Drive. Tickets start at $2 and include light refreshments.